What Do Specialized Cells Do?
Get
Started


What structures do all cells have?
Which type of structure would a cell have
more of if it were specialized for
movement?
Activity 5: What Do Specialized Cells Do?
Introduction
Read the introduction.

Examine the photos of the specialized
cells at the bottom of the page. Discuss
your observations with your partner.
Activity 5: What Do Specialized Cells Do?
Challenge

What are the specialized
structures and functions of
cells?
Activity 5: What Do Specialized Cells Do?
Procedure

Follow the directions on Student Sheet
5.1, “Specialized Cells,” to complete the
simulation.
Activity 5: What Do Specialized Cells Do?
Neuron (Nerve Cell)

Sends and receives signals
Activity 5: What Do Specialized Cells Do?
Pancreatic Cells

Produces and releases insulin to control blood
sugar.
Activity 5: What Do Specialized Cells Do?
Muscle Cell


Causes contractions for movement
Contains lots of mitochondria
Activity 5: What Do Specialized Cells Do?
Intestinal Cell


Absorbs nutrients from food as it passes through
the small intestine.
Villi – increase surface area so it can absorb food
more efficiently.
Activity 5: What Do Specialized Cells Do?
Macrophage (white blood cell)

Digests microbes as part of the immune system
Activity 5: What Do Specialized Cells Do?
Sperm


Swim to the egg
Mitochondria power the flagellum.
Activity 5: What Do Specialized Cells Do?
Analysis 1

Pick two of the specialized cells that you observed
in the computer simulation. For each cell:
◦ Pick one specialized organelle or structure and explain its
function.
◦ Explain what would happen to the cell if the specialized
organelle or structure were damaged or missing.
◦ Explain what would happen to the organism if the
specialized organelle or structure were damaged or
missing.
Activity 5: What Do Specialized Cells Do?
Revisit the
Challenge

What are the specialized
structures and functions of
cells?
Activity 5: What Do Specialized Cells Do?
Key
Vocabulary



cell
microbe
organelle
Activity 5: What Do Specialized Cells Do?